Cs98 wrote: ↑01 Feb 2024, 23:00
Because you are only looking at one side of the equation. This needed to be done because Carlos Sainz won't sit around without a deal until the middle of the season. They needed a guarantee from Hamilton so they don't end up in a situation where Sainz walks because they are courting Hamilton, potentially losing them both if Hamilton decides to stay. Lewis has committed to this because it was now or never, he's obviously willing to sacrifice 2024 (or his hopes are not that high to begin with for this year).
I think Sainz would sit around actually. Because to play hardball, you need to have some good alternatives. And he simply doesn't. Red Bull is not on the table, Merc would prefer to keep both Hamilton and Russel, and McLaren has their drivers locked up in Multi-year deals. Aston Stroll will probably not sign two spanish drivers, that's bad for business. And I doubt Sainz would feel rushed to join Bottas at the back of the grid.
So Ferrari might have been rushed to sign in a now or never-deal with either Hamilton or another driver, but that other driver wasnt Sainz. More probably Alonso.
But the more boring and realistic alternative is that Hamiltons exit clause expired on the first of February. And he sent in the termination papers yesterday.